I really enjoyed this sweet cross-cultural romance. Both Aria and Cem were very likeable and felt real, and I couldn’t wait to see them fall in love. I really enjoyed this sweet cross-cultural romance. Both Aria and Cem were very likeable and felt real, and I couldn’t wait to see them fall in love. Aria's fear around falling for Cem was understandable and relatable. I enjoyed seeing them face their hurdles and battle to overcome them. It was an easy read, and quite addictive too. I flew through the pages and didn’t want to put it down.
I also really enjoyed the New Zealand and Turkish settings as both aren't featured in many books I've read previously. Being an Australian, reading a book set in NZ was really great because it felt very similar to here.
My criticisms are few. I felt that Emir, Cem’s brother, was a little two dimensional and could have done with more depth. And I thought that there were just a few too many mentions of Cem’s hard-on! Okay, we get it - he’s VERY attracted to her!
All in all, a great read!
Note: I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I enjoyed this book but I thought it could have been so much better. The beginning felt clumsy and the end felt rushed, but I truly felt for Dortchen.I enjoyed this book but I thought it could have been so much better. The beginning felt clumsy and the end felt rushed, but I truly felt for Dortchen. It makes me glad (as a lot of books do) that I'm a woman of the 21st century and not of a time like this.
The writing transported me to the time and place and I grew to understand how each of Dortchen's sisters fit into her life, although it was difficult to remember who was who in the beginning. I just wish (view spoiler)[, after all of that time, that we could have had a bit more time with Dortchen and Wilhelm happily in love at the end. After so many barriers and roadblocks, I didn't think there was enough reward for the reader. (hide spoiler)]
I felt the author did a good job of portraying (view spoiler)[the abuse inflicted on Dortchen by her father and how this affected her ability to love Willhelm. (hide spoiler)] I'd recommend the book for that aspect alone....more
Lyrical writing about anguish. Some scenes were absolutely heartbreaking. Gave me a strong appreciation for what life is like for women in AfghanistanLyrical writing about anguish. Some scenes were absolutely heartbreaking. Gave me a strong appreciation for what life is like for women in Afghanistan....more
For some reason, I put off reading this book, but when I finally did, I really enjoyed it. The emotional current is strong and although the main charaFor some reason, I put off reading this book, but when I finally did, I really enjoyed it. The emotional current is strong and although the main character is very flawed, he's incredibly likeable and relatable. I also appreciated the glimpse into Afghanistan culture. ...more
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